How to tell if baby has temperature?

Are you a new parent that’s not quite sure what temperature your little bundle of joy is running? Well, look no further because we’ve got some tips and tricks for you. Being able to identify if your baby has a fever can be tricky, but with the right information at hand, it doesn’t have to be!

Understanding Normal Temperatures

The first step in identifying if your baby has a temperature is understanding what “normal” temperatures are for infants up to 12 months old. While adults typically run around 98.6°F (37°C), babies’ normal range varies depending on how old they are:

• Newborns: 97.7-99.5°F (36.5-37.5°C)
• 3-6 Months: 99°F (37.2°C)
• Over 6 Months: 97 -100??°F (36 –38-degree Celsius)

It’s also important to know that an infant’s body temperature fluctuates throughout the day, so don’t panic if one reading shows slightly higher than another.

Know Your Thermometer Options

When it comes time to check your baby’s temperature, there are several thermometer options available:

1) Rectal thermometers

2) Oral thermometers

3) Ear or forehead thermometers

Rectal thermometer tends to give the most precise readings since it’s taken from inside the body.

However using an ear or forehead thermometer might make life easier especially when dealing with tantrums from unwilling recipients.This type of thermometer uses infrared technology which helps easily take accurate fever readings by placing them either against their ear canal or along their forehead—no fussing about with positioning required!

Before purchasing one of these gadgets though, read up on reviews and ratings since sometimes cheaper isn’t always better–you wouldn’t want inaccurate readings as paediatrician visits could prove expensive!!

Observing Physical Symptoms

Sometimes, you can tell whether your baby has a temperature just by observing them. Common physical symptoms of fever include:

1) Fussiness
2) Excessive Sleepiness
3) Poor appetite/not interested in the usual feeding schedules or amount
4) Reduced mobility- wouldn’t want to be in their favourite jumping crib/pack n play, etc

If your baby is displaying any of these signs, it’s worth considering taking their temperature as this in itself an indicative sign that all isn’t well since going from crying bouts straight to deep sleep could indicate lethargy.

Check for Additional Symptoms

The presence of additional symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and skin rashes could also signal that something is not right with your little bundle of joy. Usually accompanied by elevated temperatures (Zika?????- get me outta here), a lot would have been done already immunity wise so consulting a doctor at such times may mean there’s nothing more than being re-assured everythings fine onwards.

Ensure than on discovering other potentially large health warnings (especially Zika’s case), act fast! You don’t want further complications down the line when early intervention could have helped better manage the situation.

The Rules on Checking Temperature

When checking baby’s temperature:

1)Always wash hands thoroughly before handling thermometers;
2)Never ever leave babies unattended during procedures;

And most importantly,

3)Remember to lubricate thermometer tips if using rectal ones; do not insert dry thermometer tips for obvious reasons!!

Once ready & observing good environment,clean thermometer gently with water/alcohol swabs -hey you gotta keep things sterile- insert as directed then note reading.Perhaps invest in waterproof mats,sheets,covers etc…. just In case!

Anything above 100°F/37.7 °C merits clinical consultations same goes for anything under normal range—lowered body temperatures are of equal concern as an elevated one!!

Careful preparation, caution and hygiene go a long way in ensuring that your little one won’t have any surprises down under – check-ups are thorough, don’t wanna miss anything especially when it comes to that precious bundle of joy!